The Solstice Arts Festival will once again take place in Port Alberni’s Rotary Arts District and Harbour Quay with the addition of Tyee Landing over three days: Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18.
The Solstice Arts Festival brings four Alberni Valley festivals together under one umbrella for a weekend of art, music, theatre and street entertainment, while celebrating the Valley’s maritime history. Seed funding for the Festival has been provided by the Rotary Arts District Grant program as well as the Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA).
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley (Days with the Arts), Portal Players Dramatic Society, Art Matters Society (Festival of Artistic Creative Expression- F.A.C.E.) along with new partner, PAPA are hosting this family event.
The Rollin Art Centre will host a vendors’ showcase of artists in the Rollin garden with entertainment at the gazebo on Friday and Saturday.
The Capitol theatre will host the Bongo bar with spoken word artist CR Avery on Friday evening. The festival continues throughout the day on Saturday at the Capitol theatre with play readings, Andrew Wade and Cougar Annie.
Tyee Landing will be the central hub of activities for the PAPA’s Port Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are many activities already scheduled for the public, including an opportunity to take a Rail Speeder shuttle along the waterfront, an industrial heritage vehicle shuttle up Argyle Street to the Rollin Art Centre or the Capitol Theatre/Char’s Landing.; explore the Maritime Heritage Gallery, tour the search and rescue vessels, enjoy live music, tour the Alberni Harbour in the Harbour Chieftain Patrol and Fire Vessel, tour of Port Alberni Terminals, tour Canadian Alberni Engineering, learn about kite boarding, various food and much more.
The Art Matters Art Centre invites you to take a journey down the yellow brick road (the Creation Station) at their venue at Harbour Quay on Saturday and Sunday. Get a map of the festivities and collect stamps for all of your site visits to be eligible to win prizes. Enjoy spoken work and children’s art activities.
Full schedule of events and more info on the Solstice Facebook page.
Most Port Day activities are free with some by donation. All Solstice activities are free except for featured performers: $10 wrist bands are available at the Capitol Theatre, Art Matters Art Centre or the Main Artery. Five shows for $10.
The Solstice Arts Festival encourages excellence in all forms of the arts, while celebrating our community’s rich history and heritage.
